A Norwegian cruise ship, MS Maud, carrying over 250 passengers, encountered a rogue wave during a storm, resulting in a temporary loss of power. The incident occurred on Thursday, December 21, as the vessel was en route from Florø, Norway, to Tilbury, England. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported among the 266 passengers and 131 crew members.

According to HX, the cruise company operating the ship, the condition of the vessel remains stable, and the crew is able to sail under their own power. The ship's crew is manually navigating the vessel using emergency systems, with assistance from two civilian support ships in the North Sea.

In response to the incident, HX has amended the ship's planned route and decided to disembark passengers in Bremerhaven, Germany, following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments. A spokesperson for the company stated that arrangements are being made for the onward travel of the guests back home.

The storm, with hurricane-force winds, caused windows on the MS Maud to shatter, leaving the passengers shaken. Social media posts from Dorothy Hallam, a passenger onboard, described the situation as she wrote, "We've been sat on the floor in our muster stations for hours wearing our safety suits and life jackets and there's no sign of us being allowed up any time soon. We were thrown about a lot." Another passenger, Ian Roberts, expressed his sympathy for those whose Christmas plans were disrupted, but commended the crew for their exemplary care during the initial difficult situation.

It is worth noting that the MS Maud is not the first ship to encounter rough seas in the North Sea, as videos of massive waves crashing in the area have gained popularity on TikTok. Despite the occasional turbulence, marine experts affirm that the North Sea is generally safe for the hundreds of thousands of ships that pass through each year.

As the passengers of the MS Maud await disembarkation in Bremerhaven, Germany, their safety remains the top priority. The cruise company is working diligently to ensure their guests' onward travel arrangements, allowing them to return home after an unexpected and eventful journey.